A
coalition of pro-Pakatan Rakyat groups are gearing up for a major
rally, to call for a structured plan to tackle problems plaguing the
Indian community in the run up to the 13th general election.
The rally dubbed Indian Rights Action Force (Indraf 2.0) which will be held at the Girl Guides Hall in Brickfields at 3pm on Sunday, is expected to be attended by 10,000 people, said co-organisers Malaysian Indian Voice (MIV).
"The status of the Indians in the country until today, whether under Pakatan Rakyat or BN, has not changed very much. There are no proper policies charted where Indians are concerned," said National Indian Action Team (NIAT) president Tasleem Mohd Ibrahim.
MIV
chief V. Raidu said the movement, which is sees itself as the extension
of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally in 2007, is necessary
as there are no real changes in the government's approach towards
addressing the community's woes.
Besides Tasleem, Indraf is spearheaded by Penang Deputy Chief Minister (II) P Ramasamy (right), and former Hindraf leaders V Ganabatirao and R Kengadharan.
Raidu said the movement, themed "Unity - Road to Putrajaya", is to exert pressure on leaders on both sides of the divide to act on issues affecting the community.
"Earlier this year, we had written to all the chief ministers and menteris besar requesting the percentage of Indians employed in the state government.
"But only two responded - Johor at two percent and Negri Sembilan at four percent. If I'm not mistaken, 25 years ago, Indians made up 17 percent of the Johor state government," said Tasleem.
He said in Penang, instructions had been issued to increase employment for Indians but nothing has been done.
"Malaysian Indians have been systematically marginalised and sidestepped for over five decades," he complained.
Raidu reiterated that Indians have no competitive edge. "We have no influence in policy making. We don't want piecemeal measures but pro-active measures in the best interests of the country."
The group has also put forth a 10-point resolution which have been handed to both the opposition and the government. They are:
1) Fundamental liberties
2) Freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion
3) Right to education
4) Automatic citizenship for Indians born after Merdeka
5) A replica of the New Economic Policy (NEP) for Indians
6) Equitable approach to employment recruitment
7) Ration card system to eradicate poverty
8) All Tamil schools to be made fully aided schools
9) Pension scheme for the private sector
10) Enacting a Minority Protection Act and Inter Race Relations Act
Raidu added that top Pakatan leaders including DAP parliamentary chief Lim Kit Siang, PAS deputy president Mohammad Sabu (right) and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, have been invited to the event.
Asked whether the rally will be supported by former Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar, who has since broken ranks and formed the Human Rights Party, Raidu curtly said: "Invitations have been extended to all."
The rally dubbed Indian Rights Action Force (Indraf 2.0) which will be held at the Girl Guides Hall in Brickfields at 3pm on Sunday, is expected to be attended by 10,000 people, said co-organisers Malaysian Indian Voice (MIV).
"The status of the Indians in the country until today, whether under Pakatan Rakyat or BN, has not changed very much. There are no proper policies charted where Indians are concerned," said National Indian Action Team (NIAT) president Tasleem Mohd Ibrahim.
MIV
chief V. Raidu said the movement, which is sees itself as the extension
of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) rally in 2007, is necessary
as there are no real changes in the government's approach towards
addressing the community's woes.Besides Tasleem, Indraf is spearheaded by Penang Deputy Chief Minister (II) P Ramasamy (right), and former Hindraf leaders V Ganabatirao and R Kengadharan.
Raidu said the movement, themed "Unity - Road to Putrajaya", is to exert pressure on leaders on both sides of the divide to act on issues affecting the community.
Systematically marginalised
"Earlier this year, we had written to all the chief ministers and menteris besar requesting the percentage of Indians employed in the state government.
"But only two responded - Johor at two percent and Negri Sembilan at four percent. If I'm not mistaken, 25 years ago, Indians made up 17 percent of the Johor state government," said Tasleem.
He said in Penang, instructions had been issued to increase employment for Indians but nothing has been done.
"Malaysian Indians have been systematically marginalised and sidestepped for over five decades," he complained.
Raidu reiterated that Indians have no competitive edge. "We have no influence in policy making. We don't want piecemeal measures but pro-active measures in the best interests of the country."
The group has also put forth a 10-point resolution which have been handed to both the opposition and the government. They are:
1) Fundamental liberties
2) Freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion
3) Right to education
4) Automatic citizenship for Indians born after Merdeka
5) A replica of the New Economic Policy (NEP) for Indians
6) Equitable approach to employment recruitment
7) Ration card system to eradicate poverty
8) All Tamil schools to be made fully aided schools
9) Pension scheme for the private sector10) Enacting a Minority Protection Act and Inter Race Relations Act
Raidu added that top Pakatan leaders including DAP parliamentary chief Lim Kit Siang, PAS deputy president Mohammad Sabu (right) and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, have been invited to the event.
Asked whether the rally will be supported by former Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar, who has since broken ranks and formed the Human Rights Party, Raidu curtly said: "Invitations have been extended to all."
No comments:
Post a Comment